M.Ted, I think you misunderstood the point I was trying to make - or perhaps I wasn't being as clear as I could have been. I know and have known many Black Americans (or African-Americans). Many identify themselves more as folkdancers, or soldiers, or New Mexicans, or whatever than by their "race".   That may be the identity that she chooses - that is "thrust upon her" as you put it - but she is not "tied to the issue" unless she wants to be.